The “Blunt” Traveller: From the new housewife’s diary

Melbourne. It is definitely not one of the favorite hot spots for a honeymoon. Reviews often fail to reveal its lacking in National identity. Neither is it a place to go to if you want to discover Australia. There is nothing authentic unless you rent a car and drive out of the town area (and I mean 3-4 hours away, in the outskirts).
If you are a shopaholic and hope you can find good deals and sales, forget it! Things are over charged although you may find good buys if you know where to go. Out of 10 people you bump into (town area), around 8 will be Asians.

The weather is another bummer! Mid Jan was pretty humid with unpredictable showers. I can’t say much about winter- yet to experience it. A quick list on the best places to go to: Prahran Market, Brunswick, The Great Ocean, Geelong, St. Kilda’s. Should you insist on shopping, there’s always Brunswick (along Stydney Rd). I discovered several nice and cheaper restaurants. I got really sick and tired of eating kebabs! They are available everywhere!

My personal recommendations: For cheap clothes, visit Cocolatte, Dorothy K. For food, you got to try Tiba and The Kebab Station. Don’t miss out on supermarts like Aldi, Coles and Big W. Their prices are very comparable. When buying bread, pastries or cakes, wait till just 15 mins before closing time to get very good bargains ( a huge muffin for 50 cents ).

I’m not really a party goer. But 17-30s may find the pubs/bars interesting while those in the 30s-40s can check out the beaches/farms/malls instead. Wait! The Pancake Parlour! Go there! It’s really somethin’! Look out for their promos (1 for 1, 2 stacks pancakes).

My next destination over the weekend will be somewhere remote. Hope to catch up with the wild then.

So, what’s with Valentine’s Day?

Valentine’s Day: A day which has been too commercialized, too misunderstood for its real meaning (@ times). Why can’t love be celebrated daily? Forget about cupid. So, he doesn’t work the rest 364 days in a year? C’mon! Soft toys, gifts, roses, cafes, restaurants jack up in prices- purely absurd!The day and effort will be precious and unforgotten memories but is it worth it? I’ve always celebrated V day in the past and guess what? Truthfully, I can’t recall where I went to, with who, what I got etc. For real? Yes, absolutely!

My husband will be the happiest person to know this. And no, we don’t actually celebrate the day. We glorify our love and marriage everyday whenever possible. Like, I will give him surprises by cooking and baking on random days. Good meals always make him smile. Tom Yum Goong…less spicy (to suit his European taste buds), more flavorful, extra boneless dory meat and made with a lot of love and well, effort (for someone who is not an ardent fan of cooking of being anywhere near the kitchen). Dessert is a must. Simple crunchy butter cookies with red cherry pieces. My husband has no complaints, only that he has eaten way too much!

Oh, and some men choose V day to propose? Cool. I’ve nothing against the day, really. Let’s see what I received just last year. I cannot remember at all. See! And I don’t have a short-term memory whatsoever. It’s just so insignificant sadly to be too easily forgotten. To value each and every single day in our lives; till death do us part. 14 February is so passe to me. Rather cliche but to each his own.

Here’s to love!

The perfect Tom Yum Goong- Thanks to these:

1) Red chillies- To add some spice in your love life

2) Tamarind juice- A marriage can be both sweet and sour

3) Fresh tomatoes- Have a juicy and sweet relationship with your partner, whoever said being married is boring?!

4) Fish slices- Seek a healthier lifestyle as a couple

5) Lemongrass / Galangal leaves- Purely aromatic. Lift up your spirits

6) Coriander leaves- Adds more flavor, and, the color green symbolizes a newly wed couple

7) Lime leaves- Adds more flavor, at the same time, let’s go all natural. Let’s be ourselves when we are with our partners

8) Salt and pepper to taste- You hold the key to a happy marriage with the correct amount of sacrificing, understanding and loving

**I will insert the whole recipe soon